Barrel knot tying device



12 Sheets-Sheet 1 J. P. TARBOX ETAL BARREL KNOT TYING DEVICE Sept. 24,1957 Filedv Oct. 19, 1955 Sept. 24, 1957 Filed OGt. 19, 1955 J. P.TARBOX EI'AL BARREL KNOT TYING DEVICE 412l Sheets-She'et 2 J'. P. TARBOXETAL BARREL KNOT TYING DEVICE sept. 24, 1957 12 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fild oct.19, 1955 vl MB su m e@ m 7. M RH mM du 12 Sheets-Sheet 4 wf/Vrana J PTARBOX ETAL.

BARREL KNOT TYING DEVICE Sept. 24, 1957 Filed Oct. 19, 1955 Sept. 24,1957 J. P. TARBox ETAL 2,807,487

BARREL KNoT TYING DEVICE Filed Oct. 19, 1955 12 Sheets-Sheet 5 J. P.TARBOX ET AL.

BARREL KNOT TYING DEVICE Sept. 24, 1957 12 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Oct. 19,1955 Sept. 24, 1957 J. P. TARBox x-:TAL

BARREL KNOT TYING DEVICE 12 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Oct. 19, 1955 y x45 omBM (Y KRO. E M MHH m MN5 A HE oM/o. am

Sept. 24, 1957 J. P. TARBox ErAL.

BARREL KNOT TYING DEVICE 12 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Oct. 19, 1955 Sept, 24,1957 J. P. TARBox ET A1.

BARREL xNoT TYING DEVICE 12 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed oct. 19, 1955 JAI/w55H. Ho/.LYDAV ATTORNEY Sept. 24, 1957 J. P. TARBox ET AL BARREL KNoTTYING DEVICE 12 Sheets-Sheet 10 Filed Oct. 19, 1955 Sept. 24, 1957 J. P.TARBOX ET A1. 2,807,487

BARREL KNoT TYING DEVICE:

med oct. 19, 1955 12 sheets-sheet 11 5 m55/wm ZZ paw/u WRAP .5 TA1/P75202?? INVEIVTOK5 JOHN ,QJ-A ze ox J. P. TARBOX ETAL BARREL KNOT TYINGDEVICE Sept. 24, 1957 12 Sheets-Sheet l2 Filed Oct. 19, 1955 V,areimportant.

United States Patent gO 2,807,487 u ,Y BARREL KNor TYING nEvrci:

John P. Tarbox, Philadelphiznand James H. Hollyday,

New Holland, Pa., assignors to Sperry Rand Corporation, New Holland,Pa., a corporation of Delaware 'Application October 1,9, 1955, SerialNo. 541,484'

29 Claims.. (cl. zas- 2)` a mechanism outstandingly adaptedfor barrelknot tying. ,A

The simplication of this type of tier with the resultantV lessening ofthe number of parts and the number of, their movements'is one of theseveral objects we have sought to attain. Simplification of the,individual parts has 'not been overlooked. y Another of these principalobjects is an increased certainty and regularity of operation coupledwith a greater ruggednessand durability. Still another aim is theequalizing of the lengths 'of the free ends that are to constitute theknot at the'timesA their lays aremade, the maintaining of suchequalizationduring the making of the knot and the attainment ofequalized tensions on the free ends during the knot making. "Thesefactors have much to do with the relative regularity` of the turns andperfection of the knot.

The incorporation of means to take out slack and to i draw the twogroups of turns toward each other and about the inserted terminal ends,and to tighten the'kn'ot Another object is the attainment of completefreedom for the completed knot to drop to the -bale side.

Ready adaptation of the mechanisms employed to the vtying of knots ofvarious numbers of turns or wraps is yet another object. 4 I

The elimination of such irregularities of tier operation as are commonlycaused by accumulation of or interfer- ;ence from dust, straws and thelike has been sought.

And in connection with all of these other objectsV the :mechanismsthroughwhich they are attained have 'been .devised with a view to themaking of ties in either twine yor wire without changes vof parts or themakingof adjustments, or 4at most with a very minimum of changes oradjustment. y v

We have attained these principal objects by the following means,amongfothers. Firstly, by maintaining the oppositely rotating wrappinggears free of the strands to be joined together until the lays of thestrands and their free end portions have both been completed; secondly,by eife'cting the lays of the free end portions of both the needlestrand and the bale strand by means of guides and free end holdingmeansindependently of the Wrapping means, and arranging theser guides andholdingV means symmetrically with respect to the transverse plane ofsymmetry of the knot. but on opposite sides of the longitudinal plane ofsymmetry; thirdly, by combining the strand spreading function (whichprovides for -terminal end insertion) with the strand guiding functionof the laying means; fourtbly, by utilizing a unitary inserter devicefor both the free ends reciprocated in the transverse plane of symmetryof the knot and through that reciprocation y,achieving the cutinthatplane; tifthly, byr pulling opy z,ss7,4s7 Patented Sept. 24, 1957positely upon the main strands of the tie after the terminal ends areinserted to take upV those portions of the main strands which liebetween the turns and have been spread during the insertion; sixthly, byhaving the wrapping gear slot inclined downwardly when the gear is idleand inserting the terminal ends from the bottom of the knot upwardly;seventhly, by utilizing the wrapping gears in conjunction with the lowerlay guides to hold the knot against the upwardinsertion drag; eighthly,providing that the knottingl device be free of parts below the axis ofthe knot when it is completed; ninthly, by withdrawing the gears withtheir downwardly inclined slots from the main strands to strip the knotfrom the mechanism; and tenthly, by utilizing non-articulated wrappinglingers and inserter members, the twine engaging portions of which arepreferably rigid or integral in form, and elsewhere in the tier whereverpossible eliminating articulated members, partslikely to jam, andsprings.V

Other but perhaps lesser objects have been Vink our minds and we haveattained them by the samev or perhaps lesser means than those aboveoutlined, all of which we vwill attempt to makev known from the drawingsof our tier and the accompanying detailed description which follows. p

YWe have built and tested this tier, and these drawings depict the bestforms of our invention known Yto us at the time of building, but it willbe quite apparent upon a detailed understanding of the invention that itis capable of other embodiments both in part and as a whole. yIn 30yfact other forms are already known to us and oneV or ymore of them areto be made subject of additional patent applications to cover theimprovements which they embody.

t u Referring now to the drawings, i

Figure l is a side elevation view of the tier ywith the parts in neutralor starting position. (The one revolution and stop clutch powering thetier and the needle yoke are omitted from this showing the better toshowinwardly located parts);

Figure 2 is a plan view. The bale case clampand the pull up devices areomitted from Figures 1 and 2 for the sake of clarity, but are shown VinFigures 3 and 4; the clutch and needle yoke are shown in the plan;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section taken substantially on the line 3-3of Figure 4 illustrating the bale case andV pull-up mechanisms of thetier;

Figure 4 is a plan section of the same mechanisms taken on the line 4 4of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a longitudinal section taken substantially on the line 5S ofFigure 2 showing the lay arm moved to needle loop receiving position andshowing its relation to the twine nger mechanism which transfers theneedle loop thereto;

Figure 6 is an enlarged cross section of the twine finger mechanismtaken on the` line 6-6 of Figure 5;

f Figure 7 is a face view of the twine nger cam of Figure 6 viewed fromthe line 7-7 of that figure;

Figure 8 is a face view of one of the pairs of twine fingers and'itsassociated lay arm from the line 848 of Figure 6; Y

Y Figure 9 is an enlarged transverse cross section taken on the line 99V of Figure 1 showing both of the inwardly located pairs of slotteddrive gearsof the wrapping mechanisms, the gear shifting mechanisms, andthexed guides and free end holding clamps, all associated with the balestrands; 1

Figure l0 is an enlarged transverse cross section taken on the line10-10 of Figure ly showing one of the outwardly located pair of slotteddrive gears of the wrapping mechanisms (the relative position of themating inwardly located drive gear being indicated in dotted lines)theassociated lay arm and its twine guides, and the free end Y -holdingclamp, all appertaining to the needle strand of end of thebale strand invertical section;

Figure 11 is a side elevation view of the inserter mech `anismsexcerpted from `Figure 1;

Figure 12 `is, a transverse cross sectional ,elevation of the same takenon the line 12-12 ofFigtlre 1 1;

Figure '13 is an enlarged horizontal Ysection of the bale `strandendretaining clamp on theline 13- 13 of `Figure. 12.

and showing the associated cutter;

[Figure 14 Iris a plan section of ,the free end vholding .clamps `on theline 14--14 of Figure 10;

Figure 15 is a plan section ,onthe line 15. 15 `of Figure `10, showingthe upper Vneedlestrand guide of the lay 4arm and the coacting cutterblade;

t `Figure l6.is a detailed yiewof the lower guide of the needle strandas carried bythe lay arm;

Figure` 17` is `a Hface viewof vthe same looking ,toward the left inFigurey 16; Y

Figure 18 is a detailedtview `,of thelower guide] of the bale strand andits support from the .upright guide of the inserter mechanism; v v

`Figure 19 is a face View of ythe same Ilooking towardthe right inFigure18; I Y l Figure 20 `is an villustrativetiming `chart for thetier;

Figures Y7.1 ,throughtZSv are a series `of diagrams illustratingAVarious stages of `the laying` of the `twine, for :the tie, and endingwith the accomplished tie;

32a`re aseries ofcorrelated views illustrating the relatiye positionsand motions of the wrapping and inserting, mecht anismstin the `variousvstages Aof `the tying `of the knot.

Figure `33 is an isometric view` of the wrapping Afinger` employedingthe wrapping mechanisms; `and Figure 34 is the finished knot lafterthe tcompletionof t the view of Fig. 32.

, The particular barrelknlot which;the embodiment illus- 14tratetl isadjusted and proportioned `to tie is illustrated in Figure` 34 as,V alcompleted knot. -various stakes of its -tying in `Figures `'2910 32, It.is a barrel knot ofibut one1and Aone-half turns ascan most plainly beseen by reference lto Figures 32 .and 34.` In

-f the `several ,'ligures `referred to the `main t. strands of the bale`tie are designated 50b `and `50nI the free ends from which theknot`isto betied 5,1, `their turnstabout the ymain strands 52, andttheirrterminal ,ends 53,1.while those portions of the Lmain strands 50h,andI` 450n `whichcomprise `a portion of the knot per `se are,designated 54. The number of turns, one` and one -half,fcan readily becounted,

wthc `half ,turn beingidesignated `5 5 and lbeingtconstituted readily beapprehended=from a survey of Figures 29 rto 33 considered in conjunctionwith the knot depicted in Fig- '.ure 34, and .such an apprehension YhadVin advance of a detailed .description of the tier' at 'large which`follows should enable one to more` rapidly follow and understand :thedetaileddescription.` In setting these lforth there will be `used the`same numerals utilized Alater inthe detailed "description but,y theywill lack the generallyv consecutive 1order utilized in the detaileddescription.

t Inthe semi-diagrammaticshowing inFigures 29 to33 inclusive, the strandguiding.andholdingrneans comprise g :juxtaposed and spaced apart guides150. fand `180 (see j particularly Figure'SOb) and above'the guidesspacedfapart free end holding means 15.1 and 190 (noteFigure 2.9.)

` `together supported -by `vertically extending `members y10,0

anc`l`15 2.` The free end inserting means comprises the verticallyreciprocable inserter hoolcs 1410 t provided ,with

It tis `illustrated in the inwardly facing barbs 411 `and downwardlyprojecting points 416, and convexly bulging main bodies 412. These arevertically reciprocable in the space between the guides 180, and theholders 151, 190 by vertical reciprocation of an arm 421 to an extremity420 of which they are i attached, the arm reciprocable vertically in aslot in the support 152. Oppositely rotating wrapping gears 300, 301 aresupported in frames 304 from transverse shafts 361, 368 (note Figure30b) and are provided with bayonet slotted wrapping fingers 3,11 (seeFigure 33) at the outer ends of the radially extending arms 310, thearms being connected with the gears through the journals 302 upon whichthey are revolved. Power is supplied .through shafts 361 and 368 andintermediate gearing by any suitable means suchas sprockets372, 373.

Normally neither the wrapping gears 300, 301 nor their wrapping tngers311 are engaged with the strands as they iaretshown in the severalFigures l29 to `32. Instead, they are respectively inside and outside ofthe longitudinal axis of the knot as they appear in Figure 10. However,they slots, however, are in horizontal alignment withthe main verticallines occupied by free ends 51b and`51n as guided and held by members150, and 151, 190.`

Now assume that the strands 50b and 50u `which are to Yhe ,knottedtogether have ybeen positioned as shown in .Figure 29 in the guiding andholding means by ,any operation'whatsoever as for example, a handoperation in ,which the end 50b is rst slipped into the holder l151A(which 'by ,the rway is a yielding holding means) and `into .thetgrooveof guide 1S0,.thence carried `around a package or 'bale and brought backas strand 50n, then drawn upwardly into the groove of guide 180 andtinallyas `a free end placed in `holder 19,0, which is also ayieldingholder. ,Next let us assume that the gears 300, 301 (normallyre- V`moved Ifrom the strands as shown in Figure 1 0) are moved towardthe strands until their axes of rotation lie upon or adjacent ithestrands as they appear in the gures. And at this time,` or `preferablybefore, let us assume that the inserter hooks 410 have been vmoved.vertically ,downward tothe position shown. in Figure 29 in which ltheir`bulging convex sides ,have their region of greatest convexity inthejhorizontal plane `of the strands to be joined. Thereuponwhenthegears are rotated in opposite directions, (clockwise `andcountereclockwise `respectively as viewed from the right) the wrappingfingers 311 re- Spectively` engage with the Vfree ends 51 to the left`and right, and `thetree endsare entered into the bayonet slotscontinued rotationof the .wrapping gears and wrapping .tingersrst dragsthe terminal ends 53 through the holding clamps .151, 190 andasthismovement progresses, slides fthe leading portions of the strandsdown over the convex bulges of the inserter hook 'bodies `412 intocontact --withstrands 50h and '50n1to make -the first half turn ot"` thewrap. As thetwrappingngers 31'1 pass `beneath the strands they carry`the leading portions up `the outside Gpxltt'tx Shanks of the hooks 410minitiate the lnext half turn, all as appears in Figure 30, for thepoints 416 lie inside the rotating free ends 51. At three-quarters of aturn the situation is that shown in Figure 30a, the plan view of whichis given in Figure 30b. Until the terminal ends 53 are withdrawn fromwithholding yielding holders 151, 190 tension for the operation ofwrapping is derived both from the yielding resistance of the holders andfrom the drag of the bayonet lock engagements of the wrapping fingers,but after the terminal ends 53 are free of the yielding holders, thetension -for the Wrap is supplied wholly by the fingers.

Before the rotating fingers 311 pass beneath the strands 50b and 5011 asecond time the inserter hooks 410 are lowered, as shown in Figures 31and 31a, from the dotted line position initially occupied to the fullline position in which the inserter point 416 instead of lying insidethe reach of the free end 51 from the completed turn to the wrappingiinger, lies outside of that reach, as appears in Figure 31. Thereforeas the fingers 311 again pass under the strands the rotating free ends51 pass inwardly of the barbs 411 and into position to be caught bythose barbs when the inserter hooks 410 are withdrawn upwardly. Figure32 shows these terminal ends as having been so caught and drawn throughthe knot to its upper side, thereby to complete the knot, with theexception of such pull up as is requisite to draw the completed turnstoward each other and about the terminal ends as shown in lFigure 34.Very soon after hooks 410 start their upward inserting movement, theterminal ends are of course drawn entirely through the fingers and freedof them. The wrapping gears about this time are brought to rest andwithdrawn from the strands. Incident to their Withdrawal the downwardinclination of their strand receiving slots 320 (see Figure presses themain strands 50b and 50u downwardly and as these strands leave thedivergent mouths 320, the knot is stripped from guides 150, 180 andthere is no obstruction whatever to prevent its free downward movementto the side of the package or bale. The knot of Figure 34 is the result.

Now barrel knots are subject to a number of modifications, for example,the turns are sometimes made in the same direction about the mainstrands, the ends can be inserted from the top down and are ofteninserted in opposite directions, the one being pulled through the oneside of the knot and the other through the other side, any desirednumber of turns can be used (the greater number of turns the greater thestrength of the knot), and the turns may be wrapped either with thetwist of the twine or against it, etc. One need only appropriatelychange gearing, timing, parts proportioning and direction yof movement,etc., to modify the barrel knot tie in such respects. f

Leaving for the moment the showing of the knot per se in the variousstages of its development and the semi- Adiagrammatic illustrations ofFigures 29 to 32, a detailed 4examination of Figures 1 to 18 inclusivewill disclose the tier at large and the several mechanisms of which itis vcomprised in their relations to each other, to the comprehendingframework within which they are mounted, and to the baling machine inconjunction with which the tier operates.

The tier comprises ve principal mechanisms. The first is the knottingmechanism A, the function of which is to tie the knot after the freeends of the strands to be tied together are presented to it. Thismechanism in turn comprises five co-acting devices, means to guide andhold the ends to be tied, means (bale case clamps) to keep the tensionof the tie on the main strands While the tie is being made, means toWrap the turns of the free ends about the main strands, means to insertthe terminal ends of the free ends between the main strands intermediatethe turns, and means to take up slack and pull up or tighten the knotafter it has been made. Secondly, there is the timing mechanism B, bymeans of whichithe time relationships, between the several-r,mechanisms.which '6 constitute the tier and the various parts ofthose mechanisms are timed in their operational sequences, and by meansof which they are powered. This mechanism is usually geared to the balerdrive per se and controlled by the length of the bale being formed.Thirdly, there is the needle mechanism C, by means of which theso-called needle loop of a tier is presented for transfer to theknotting mechanism A. This needle mechanism forms its loop by drawingtwine or wire from the supply bale or coil and projects this loopthrough the bale case whereafter it is received and held by the knottingmechanism, the needle returning to its normal position outside of thebale case. Fourthly, there is embodied the lay mechanism D, a mechanismintermediary between the needle mechanism C and the knotting mechanismA. This lay mechanism D comprises a strand laying device which carriesthe so-called needle strand of the loop into tying position, and theneedle strand transfer or twine nger device which shifts the needlestrand from the needle to the transfer device. Fifthly, there enters thefree end cut-off and transfer mechanism E, the functions of which are tosever the needle loop at its bight thereby rendering the needle strandfree end available to the knot, and to retain and transfer the otherside of the needle loop to such position as to properly enter the nextsucceeding tie.

The frame of the tier which mounts all of these mechanisms except theneedle mechanism C, is comprised of a base designated generally 75, fourlongitudinally and transversely spaced uprights 76 in rectangulararrangement, two frame side members 77 which interconnect the twolongitudinally spaced pairs of uprights 76, and several transverselyextending frame members 78, 79 which interconnect the longitudinallyextending members 77 at appropriate points. lThe base 75 is in the formof a metal plate of appropriate gauge and reinforcement (not shown) togive it adequate transverse and longitudinal stiffness sufficient tomake the frame self contained and rigid enough to support the severalmechanisms which it mounts in appropriate operative relationshipswithout necessarily depending upon the underlying bale case upon whichit is secured. The verticals and longitudinals of the frame are shown aschannels in cross section and both they and the transverse members 78,79, are given such form and dimension as will afford the necessarystrength and rigidity. The various members may be secured together bythat means deemed most desirable, such as bolting, riveting, or weldingdepending upon the circumstances surrounding the particular jointure.The base 75, further is provided with slots 80, in general coextensivewith and open and free in the same regions as are the commonly knownbale case slots which they are intended to overlie.

The bale case is designated 100, the bale case slots 101 (see especiallyFigs. 2 and 5, and the dotted outline of the bale in process, 102, as itappears in Figs. l and 5).

Once the main strands and their free ends are presented to the knottingmechanism in the proper relationship, irrespective of the means by whichthey are presented, the knotting mechanism per se is self-sufficient toachieve the tie. Our tier embodies two such mechanisms, being a duplextier arranged to simultaneously effect two ties per bale. In the mainour description will cover but the mechanisms connected with a singletie, but it applies to both. The knotting mechanism embodies iirst ofall a lower guide 150 and a holder 151 for the free end 51 of the balestrand 501: (see Figs. 1, 2, 5 and 10, especially the latter). Bothguide 150 and holder ,151 are secured to a vertically extending upright152 whose lower end is anchored to the central portion of base plate 75adjoining slot and whose upper end is secured to a transverse brace 153.This brace transversely interconnects with vertical uprights 152 of thetwo knotting mechanisms A embodied in each tier. The member 153 istransversely stabilized by suitable connections 154 to the transversely7 extending main frame member but these areA omitted for `the sake` ofclarity of showings.

GuideslS are shown ing'reatest detail in Figs. l0, 18 dhd19. Theycomprise main bodies 160 provided with `the anged groove 161 to receivethe` bale strand 50b and its free end. This `groove extendscurvilinearly from `theiupper side of4 ythe main body 150 on `thatend ofthe guidewhich lies toward the needle mechanismfC downwardly to lmergeinto a lower-substantially horizontally `extending portionv asmostclearly appears in Figs. 18 and 19. The side 162 of the-groove whichlies away from the bale slot 80 is inclined sufficiently to slide` astrand entered into the `groove Atoward the vertical plane of `bale slotf230 where it encounters the guide flange 163 which stops `it atV thebottom of groove 161 and causes `it to lic butflange thickness away fromthe inner face 1164 ofthe guide `and substantially inthe vertical planeof. bale slot80. The main body 160 is generally of elliptical shape andits major diameter' is arranged transversellyof the supporting upright152. `Its dimensions are such that its opposite ends project`substantially equidistantlyfrom' the front andrear upright 152. 'Ihemain`body is transversely slottedl as `atl-165 complementally to atransverse slot 166 inI upright 152 designed to accommodate theoperating member of the intersecting device `presently to `be described.Securement of the guide to upright 152 is by means of a transverselyextended ear 167 integral with the main -bodyand appropriate machinescrews.

`The `reeend holder 151 is located some inches above` the guide 150 andis comprised (as ywill be seenby reference toFigs. l and 14 for detail.)of an angle member `1.70 `whose shortarm 171 is secured to the needleside of .upright 152 and Whose long arm` 172 is projected toward the.needle mechanism and flared outwardly of the bale case, :together with abow spring 173 having an' inturned end secured in common with anglemember 170 to upright 152 and its opposite end projected through a slot174 in the short arm 171` of angle member 170,ythe bight` 175 of the`.bow springtapering in form in such manner as to divergey from. theoutwardly ared end 176 of arm .172. Thus a free` end of a bale strandmay be drawn be- `transfer mechanism E presently to be described soonafter a new bale is started is `drawn taut by the forward end of thebale and pressed into lower guide 150 as it follows bale slot 80 andalso1into, the divergence 175, 176 of `the holder 151, and when itstautness becomes acute it will be pressed firmly into its seating at theapex of the angle of member 170. Preferably the strand end in `mechanismE, the seating `in the apex of member 170 and the bottom of groove 161are in vertical alignment. If the knotting mechanism `be operated byhand such a free end will simple ybe pushed into the holder 151 and thencarried downwardly `and entered intoigroove-161 thence under it andaround the bale, whence it will be drawn across the `under side and `itsopposite ends brought to bear in the mating needle strand lowerguide 180located transversely opposite lower guide 150. Thence it would be drawnupwardly and over upper needle strand guide 18,5 and beinterrnediatelypressed into a needle holder 190 which lies between lower guidel 180 andupper guide ISS. (For these needle strand guides and holders seeespecially Fig. l` for the general view and Figs. and 14 to 17).

`Referring particularly to these figs. and first to Figs. 16 and 17whichshow the mating lower guide 180, note that the form of this blowerguide is essentially the same as that of: the lowerr guide 150 applyingto the'` bale strand save in the fact' that it is oppositely mounted.Its similar features therefore are similarly numbered, its groove 161,its inclined groove face 162,v its anged groove wall 163 and flange' perse 164.1 On the other hand its main body is. Yconsiderably thicker, itis not centrally slotted, and instead of'being secured to the member 152it is secured to the member 700 `which mounts it by anangular ex tensionfrom its main body and it is secured by screws to i the .inner side ofthat member through the outer face 181 of its main body. Guide `istransversely aligned with guide 160 and inasmuch as it needs guide andposition the oppositely extending needlefmain strand 501: `its groove161 is oppositely disposed.

The upper guide 185 (see Figs. l0 and l5) and the in,- termediate holderare also` supported by this member 70), which member is a part of thestrand laying mechavnism presently tobe` described. Member 700oscillates between the position in which it is shown in Figs. 1, 2 andl0, the needleposition which is shown in Fig. 5. insofar however as itfunctionsas a part of the knotting mechanism A it sutiices for thepresent to say that that portion of it which carries guide 180 and 185and the holder190, is during` the functioning of the knotting mechanismin transverse alignment with the vertical support 152 ofthecorresponding bale strand guide 150 and its holder 151.

The upper needle strand guide 185,` while itis provided with a `strandguiding groove 161 constituted in cross 4section substantiallyidentically `as are grooves 161 of the needle) and upwardly. Like theYguide 150, it is secured `to one side of its supporting member by anintegral angu- .lar extension 167.

The intermediate needle strand holder 190 is comprised of a rigidmember191 secured to the forward side of the .member 700, and a coacting bowspring 192v secured to the forward side of the vertical upright 152 muchin the same manner as is the bow spring 173 `of holding device 151secured to the rearward side of the apparatus. However, both the rigidmember 191 and the ilexiblel bow spring 192 extend transversely insteadof longitudinally.

VMoreover the free end 193 of the bow spring engages Vagainst the atforward face of the rigid member 191: intermediate a pair ofgrooved ears194, the groove 19S of which has a cross section generally similar toit' not identical with the cross section of the grooves 161 of theseveral guides heretofore described. Moreover the groove 195issubstantially in vertical alignment, at least is arrangedsubstantially in the same vertical longitudinal plane,

as are grooves 161 of the needle strand guides 180 and 185. While theguides 180 and 185 and the holder 190 in` this relative arrangement, ifmember 700 is moved rearwardlyltoward the needle) and a free end 51 of amain strand 50u isentered and held within the grooves 161, when themember 700 is again moved forwardly into transverse alignment with the.upright 152, the free end 51 already entered in groove 195 will beengaged by the extremity 193 of the xedly mounted bow spring 192 andheld yie1dingly,ithat is to `say in the manner to `resist its beingdragged or `pulled longitudinally out ofthe holder. Free ends 51respectively of main strand 501: and 50a are illustrated in Fig. 29 asso guided and held by the several guides andfhoglders` the detail ofwhich has been set forth.

It is to be noted with particular reference to Fig. l0 that bale strandguide 150 and the associated holder 151 are .spaced transversely fromvthe juxtaposed needle strand guide and holder 180 and 190.; This spaceis provided for the movement therethrough and between the strands 50b`be described as a principal element of the inserter device at large. Theguides 150 and 180 and in particular their relatively thin flanges 164spread strands 50h and 5011 apart and hold them spread apart to permitthe functioning tof the inserting member 400 therebetween. Thus theguides and holders in addition to their functioning as such alsofunction as strand spreading means.

Once the lays are made following the placement of the tie around thebale, under appropriate tension it is necessary to retain that tensionduring the making of the knot for the ends of the knot must be freed forthose manipulations required for the making of the knot. This is thefunction of the bale case clampingdevices of the knotting mechanism A.Referring to Figs. 3 and 4 thesefdevices are designated generally 225.There is provided one of them n each side of the wrapping device asulicient distance removed from the wrapping device to avoidinterference with its operation, thus a pair for each tie. In our tierwe have combined the elements of the device in such a manner that it mayfunction also as a pull-up device to take up slack and tighten the knotafter the knot is completed.

The central elements of the devices comprise spaced abutments 226, 227secured on one side of slot 80, and coacting movable abutments 228projectible between the fixed abutments from the opposite side of slot80. The respective fixed and movable abutments on opposite sides of theplane of symmetry 186 of the knot are respectively located on oppositesides of the slot. Fixed and movable abutments 227, 228 are in the formof rollers which are engaged with the main strands 50b and 5011, whilethe fixed abutments 226 are not provided with rollers but are insteadprovided with inclined rectilinear or curvilinear surfaces 229 againstthe rollers 228 constituting the movable abutments are adapted by reasonof the limited space between them to clamp the strands as clearlyappears in Fig. *4, thereby to retain the main body Aof the tie undertension about the body of the bale. As an aid to this retention theextremity 230 of abutments 226 makes an angle with the surface 229 overwhich the twine is drawn. The cornerk of the angle is of courseappropriately smoothed or rounded to avoid cutting. The respectiveabutments are located as clearly appears in Fig. 3 at such respectiveelevations as to appropriately engage the inclined lengths of the twine.

The movable abutments 22S are carried at the end of arms 235respectively iixedly mounted on vertically extended oscillable shafts236 having lower and upper bear-l ings 237, 238 respectively upon thebase 75 and the upper transversely extending members 79 `and 80 of themain frame of the tier (or extensions of them). Shafts 236 `areoscillated by means of crank arms 240, 241 which are interconnected forsimultaneous operation through and arm 242 fixed on shaft 236 to whichthe arms 235 is also.

fixed, and an intervening link 243. Power for the operation is derivedfrom and timing of it is controlled by a cam 555 of the mechanism Bthrough the intermediary of an operating cam link 245 whose forked end246 embraces timing mechanism shaft 560 and whose follower 246 isengaged by the cam, the far end 247 of the link connecting directly withthe short crank arm 241 which is fixedly curved by shaft 236. t

. So organized, the movable abutments 228 may be moved from dotted lineposition 25.0 in which the abutments lie completely apart, the xedabutments lying on one side of the twine and the movable abutments onthe other, to their full line positions shown in Fig. 4 in which strandslaid between them while they were apart, are clamped between abutments226 and 223 while the knot is being formed. The knot being completed,abutments 228 may be moved to lsecond* dotted line position 251 for thepurpose of pulling main strands 50h and 5011 around the xed rollerabutments 227 to take up the slack and so draw the wraps toward eachother about the inserted ends and tighten the knot.

The wrapping devices of the knotting mechanism are 110 also shown iniFig. 29 but they are s'how'n'in greaterconif pleteness in each of Figs.1, 2 and 5, and in their greater detail in each of Figs. 9 and l0. Eachdevice is comprised of a pair of oppositely rotating Wrapping gears-300,301 located, the one outwardly beyond the bale slot and on one side (theforward side) of the transverse plane of symmetry 136 of the knot andthe other, 301, located inwardly of the bale slot 80 and on the oppositeside 'of they transverse plane of symmetry 186. Each of the wrappinggears is provided with a hollow journal 302 borne rotat ably withinbearing 303 formed'in a transversely project-f ing arm 304 of a gearframe 305, which gear frame .is so. mounted as to be transverselyreciprocable. Each of the journals 302 rhas removably secured to itsopposite end (that is to say the end juxtaposed to the transverse planeof symmetry 186) and arm 310 which bears at itsouter end a wrappingfinger 311. These wrapping fingers 311 are rotatable by the gears 300,301 in planes which intersect the vertical planes of the main strands50b and 50n in which the free ends 51 are held by the several guides andholders of the strand guiding and holding device, butv they are normallyat rest and disengaged from these free ends. Indeedfthe arms 310 (ascan'be discerned from inspection of Figs. l, 9 and 10) normally extendhorizontally away from the strands and hold the iingers 311 away notonly until the gears themselves are moved to engagethe main strands, butalso until they have thereafter commenced to rotate. To permit the gearsto be moved to' engage the main strands each of the gears and theirassociated journals and journal bearings are'complementally (in theirrest positions) radially slotted as at 320, as are, likewise and inregistry the shoulders 321 of warms 310,` which shoulders retain thejournals in their bearings (see: Fig. l0). The journals 302 at themouths of the slots 320' are provided with long outwardly flared lips322 and both slots and lips are downwardly inclined to receive thedown-v wardly inclined portions of main strands 5011 and. 50W whichreach to opposite extremities of the bale. Thus as the gears are movedtowards and upon the main strands the lips 322 enter the strands in theslots 320, and they. pass up the incline of the slot to be reached bythe axis of rotation of the gears as the gears come to rest upon thestrands and are ready to begin their wrapping. Such positions of thegears are present in the illustrations of the. series of operationaldiagrams of Figs. 29 to 32 inclusive.V

The wrapping fingers 311 are of very special construction devised with aview to the elimination of articulated nger members, springs and thelike which are subject to dust and straw interferences with theiroperation.

These fingers consist of integral and rigid members rigidly y attachedto the arms 310 which bear them. One of them is shown in perspectivedetail in Fig. 33 and their functioning is well illustrated in Figs. 29to 32. Each consists of a small block of metal 330 having on one side anintegrally formed stud 331 by means of which it is attached; to itswrapping arm 310 by passing the stud thrdough a hole in the arm (notshown) and applying a nut 332.v

The block 330 is hollowed out longitudinally (337) to direction ofrotation of the gear) well toward the opposite end ofthe block. The oneside wall 333 of slot 336 is relatively thin and parallel to theadjoining block face 339 (the side opposite stud 331 and lying nearestthe upright 152 and the member 700), while the opposite side 341 extendsdiagonally of the block. The apex 340 of` slot 336 is narrowedsuiciently to receive a diametrically somewhat 'compressed twine engagedin it and to afford a measure of drag upon and resistance to movement oftwine'through it. The top 335 of the block (the face'f Apresentingaway-from the axis of the wrapping gear) is 1 alnprovided with a slotcommunicating with the hollow interior 337115111` thisv slot 346' is notonly open at bothA ends, but` also extends from end to endofthe block.At

its entering end` itsfwalls tooare V-shaped,y but in thisA casecomprised of` a parallel wall 347` on'the stud side'of the blockand an`inclined diagonally extending wal1'348'on` the opposite side. Thusinplan.` the projected wall 348` crossesfthe projected wall 341 and thebayonet slotting is` completed,V the. voverhanging remaining portions345i of theouter face' 3351 bayonet locking the twine in the finger onceit has been entered in the slot..I Such entry and locking yisshoxvn in`sequence` in Figs. 29.` and 29a. serve in reference. to Fig. 29 thatgears 300; 301 revolve thetwine fingers: 311 oppositelywith: thetwine-fingers311 andslots. 336; traveling on circles` of" revolutionYsubstantiallyintersecting ithe verticallines occupied by the free ends51 which: the fingers are engagedtoiwrap. So operatedA the fingers :311engage. the free.endsi51 `within their slote336y346', enteringithetwineiat the widest'portions of the. slots.. Observe furtherhylreferenceto Fig. 29a that as therotations progress the freeends 51-aredeected by the inclined walls-3141` and 348vand caused topass withinthefhollow 337 ofthe finger and snap under the overhandv 345;.whereuponthey are in bayonnet. locked engagement with` the finger.` The resistingdrag ofthe yieldingly engaging twineholders 151` and'1-90provides suchtautness of the free ends` 51' as is requisite to achieve this bayonnetloclcto the fingers. Thereafter as rotation progresses the narrowedtwine compressing apex 340 `of slot 336 combinedtwith thesubstantially'right-angledturn ofthe twine as; positioned beneath theoverhang 3451provides drag upon the free ends. By appropriate adjustmentof the form and dimensionsof slots 3361and 3461 and ofthe hollow 3370i?the block this `drag `insures desired tightness to the turns even afterthe free ends are entirely withdrawn from the `holders 1.5%1, 190, thatwithdrawal preferably takingplace before the first 'turn is completed. Aroundlingof the rear end .3491 of the inclined wall 348 is illustrated.`Whil'enot so` shown it is to beunderstood' that allA edges are to`be'iappropriatelyrounded to avoidl cuttingfof'thefibers of the twine andunduedrag. Wherever needful of course in any such device thisprovisionagainst` undue wear andY cutting is to be made.` Undercnttinglof i the overhang 345i as at 3S0aidsin-retentionof the end under `theoverhang.

They wrappingl device of the `knotting mechanisms so organized' isigeared tothe timing mechanism B" for vitsl driving andits sequentialoperations. The wrapping gears 300,301 aremitredgears whosernates 360`v`are j'ournaled ou transverse axes inithe `sameslidable` gear frame'sy305in which the wrappingc gears themselves are journaled. Thej frames 305are slidably borne, respectively those of l gears- 300; on transverselythrough-running-drivc shafts 361i carried in outboard bearing brackets362 (seegFigs. i

lii2iand 5) ,and those of the inwardlyl located wrapping gearsolon arelatively shorterdrive shaft 365 journaled 4in centrallylocated bearingbrackets 366.` In they caseof overlying supporting slide shaft 386located substantially at theA samelevelV as the drive shaft 361 buthaving sub*- stantially the same length as shaft 365 is fixedly borne'bybearing brackets `366 and assists drive shaft 365 in the supportoffframes 305` by` engaging in sleeves 367- inthe i sameimannerdoesdrive shaft 361.` In this wise it becomes possible to` ,usesubstantially identical supporting frames 3051 foreach set ofy wrappingygears. Drive shaft `3651and;supporting shaft 368` of gears 301 of coursestabilize.` gear `fram`es:3054 against driving torques, Asfurtherstaiz'ilizationfor.l these frames, and as the` primary stabilizingimeansfor the frames305;` of the outer-.gears 300 gibs. are proyided on` the:bottoms` of; the` bear#` 12 ing brackets 366 and' engaged in slots inthe downwardly extending portions 370 of gear frames 305.

l Power for the wrapping gear drive is provided by a chain 371 drivenfrom sprocket 550` of timing mechanism` B. This chain is located in thelongitudinal plane of symmetry 425 of the duplex tier at large. Its topreach passes over sprocket 372 affixed to drive shaft 361. Its bottomreach passes under sprocket 373 affixed to drive shaft 36S. Intermediatethe two drive sprockets 372 and 373'the chain is engaged on its underside by a vertically adjustable idler sprocket 374. Between drivesprocket 373 and sprocket 550 of timing mechanisml B the lower reach ofthe chain is engaged by a second'vertically adjustablesprocket 375.` Agear 376 having an extended sleeve 379 journaled in sleeve 367 offrame305 `of the outer gear 300, has that sleeve slidably splined on driveshaft 361,` and this gear 376 meshes with a mating gear 377 aixed to thejournal of gear 360 wherethrougli wrapping gears 300' receive theirpower.

wrapping gears 301 through splined on gears 360';k

' The transverse shifting of the Wrapping gears into` and out ofengagement with the mainA strand h and 50n of the lays is achieved4 bycam-operated levers380 and 381 applying respectively to the outer andinner wrapping gears 3001', 301. See particularly Figs. 1, 2, 5, 9, 10,and 12. The levers are of the bell crank type pivoted at 382, the levers380 to transversely extending frame member 79` and the levers 38-1 to anextension 85 frame members 78. The long arms of levers 380 connect withthe gear frames 305 by transversely extending links 382:1, while thelong arms of levers 381` engage directly with their gear frames `305through rounded ends working in slots in frame extensions 383: The shortarms of levers 380', 381,. terminate beneath vertically reciprocated camplates 384 and these short arms areborne upwardly into contact with theunder side of the plates by coil springs 385 as appears in Fig; 9. Asimilar spring operates similarly upon the levers 380 as indicated inFigs. 1 and 5; Cam plate 384 is adjustably mounted upon an extensionfrom the lower endl of the slidably mounted shank 386 of the camfollower 387. The shank 386 which is assoiciated with lever 381 isslidably supported ina slide bearing 388 borne from the same face offrame member 1 which carries the lever pivots 382 and the shank 386which is associated with lever 380 is similarly'supportedY in a block388kbornefrom the frame member 79; Cam follower 387iis in the formof acam roller supported between ears389-formed in the upper end of shank386.

Operating cams 551 of shaft 552i of mechanisrrrB,` the .12 bytheAsprings 385. We have, however, successfully operated areverscarrangement under which the springs 385l achieve the shiftinginto engagement `andthe cams 551" shift the gears out of engagementi Theinserter device 400' is shown in general in Figs. l; 3 and 5 and inenlarged detailin Figs. l0, 1l and' l2. Its central element is aninserting means comprising a` pair of pointed inserter hooks 410depended with" their` barbs 411 facing each other f1'om the outer convexside of main bodiesV 412 which bulge outwardly beyond the sides ofsupports 152 and 700 to maximum convexity` on opposite sides of thetransverse plane of symmetry 186. The shanks 413 `of the hooks` 410 areinclinedinwardly toward the plane ofsymmelry in continuation of theconvexity of the bulged main bodies 412', while the inner sides 415'ofthe barbs 4111are outwardly inclined, the two meeting at the points 416of the hooks. The side wall's of the shanksvsnci the 'ua'rbsascanclearly be seen from theelevation ofJFig; ll, as well asftho outerwalls`of the bulging main bodies 412 and the,gmovesbetween` thebar'o's andtheShanks are ncliuedinwadly; counter- Sprocket 373 of course directlysupplies power to=shaft 365 and so drives 13 clockwise if we view themfrom above. This, as will appear, is an accompaniment of the indicatedrelative directions of rotation of wrapping gears 300, 301 as theyappear in Fig. 10. As viewed from the right, gear 300 turns clockwiseand gear 301.counter'clockwise. These inserter hooksvare shown as madein two pieces but they may be made in one piece. They are secured (bymeansy not shown) to an outer arm 420 of an inserter plate 421vertically reciproc-able in the transverse plane of symmetry 186, thearm 420 passing through and reciprocating in slot 166 of guide andholder support 152. The walls of slot 166 laterally support and guidearm 420 of plate 421 and inserting means 400 is in turn supported inposition to reciprocate in the space between the mating guides 150, 180and holders 151, 190. So reciprocated it may be halted at differentelevations, in one of which its bulges 412 serve to spread and guide thewraps of the knot, and the points of its hooks according to theirelevation either switch the wraps outside of the hook Shanks to completethe turns or inside of the hooks to be caught up in the grooves of thebarbs and pulled upwardly to insert the terminal ends between the mainstrands and so complete the knot.

inserter plate 421 and its arms 420 are symmetrical with respect to thelongitudinalV plane of symmetry 425 of the tier at large. The form ofthe plate 421 and its arrangement can be seen in Fig. l2. Its lower endis provided with `an open end slot 427 between the arms 420 to preventfouling of the idler sprocket 374 (Fig. 1) on the down stroke of theplate. Its upper end is provided with an aligned closed end slot 428 bymeans of which shaft 552 of timing mechanism B is passed through theplate and is made to serve as a vertical guide for the plate. Othervertical vguiding means (not shown) may be appropriately applied to'other portions of the plate 421. Vertical reciprocation of plate 421 isafforded by inserter cam 556 on awiliary turner shaft 552 of the timingmechanism B. This cam is so geared to the timing mechanism B as to timethe movements of the inserting means 400 to its several operativepositions. yIt acts upon cam follower 430 connected with plate 421 toraise the plate to an uppermost position (that shown in Fig. 12) while apair of reactive springs 431 anchored to the longitudinalframe members77 `act on the upper end of the plate 421 through a cross beam 432secured to the plate to effect the several successive downward movementsof the plate under the guidance and restriction of cam 556. A stop 435is adapted to impinge on a collar 436 (Fig. 1 and Fig. 12) and togetherwith the cam define the lowermost extremity of movement of plate 421.Collar 436 contines plate 421 to the transverse plane of symmetry 156 bybearing on one side of it while the hub y 557 of cant 556 similarlyconnes it on the other side.

This mechanism appears principally in Figs. l to 5, though certain ofits timing cams appear in Figs. 6 and 7. Its central elements are thetiming shaft 560 and the one revolution and stopclutch 561 which drivesit through a single-revolution-and stops. The shaft is carried injournal bearings 562 located at the joinders between the uprights 76 ofthe frame `at the lneedle end and the longitudinals 77. The clutch 561is of the commonly known type employed in balers and need not bedescribedin detail. Suflice it tosay that it receives its power by chainand sprocket drive 563 from the same source which drives the baler atlarge, and is controlled from any form of bale metering device through alinkage connection 564 associated with Vits trip crank 565 which appearsin Fig. 2. The longitudinally extendingauxiliary timing shaft 552already referred to'in connection with the description of the wrappinggear shift of the knotting mechanism A, is

driven from the main timing shaft 560 through the intermediaryof'mutilated mitre gears 567. It is journaled in bearings 568 and 569respectively carried by the transverse frame members 78 and 79. Thetiming cams 551 already referred to as timing and controlling the gearv151 shift movement appear in each of Figs. l, 2, 5, ll and l2. Theauxiliary'timing shaft 552 also carries the timing and movement controlcam 556 referred to with reference to Figs. l0 and l2 as timing andcontrolling operation of the inserter device embodying inserters 400.rThe main shaft, however, carries the remainder of the timing cams.There `are three of these, each controlling the timing and movements ofa different one of the devices entering into the timer at large. Firstthere is the cam 555 referred to as timing and controlling the bale caseclamp and pullup device 225 described with the aid of Figs. 3 and 4, thecontrol being exercised through lcam lever 245. Second, there is a cam575 which times and controls the movement of the lay arm 7 00 of thestrand laying mechanism D described with reference to Fig. l0 inparticular as carrying movable guides 180 and 185 and holder 190.Thi-rd, it bears the cam 576 which times and controls the movements ofthe needle loop transfer device of the strand 'laying mechanism D.Finally, through mutilated spur gears 580, shaft 560 drives a secondauxiliary shaft 561 through the intermediary of an idler 582 and sodrives sprocket 550 heretofore described in connection with the knottingmechanism `as supplying power and timing for the wrapping gears throughchain 371.

The needle strand 50n of the tie 102 (see Fig. 5) is presented for itsentrance intothe tie by the needle mechanism C. This comprises a needle600 for each tie to be made. The needles are borne by the usual U-shapedneedle yoke 601 which straddles the bale case from beneath and issupported from and oscillated about its bale case borne bearing studs602 by means of a link connection 603 with the needle driving crank orcranks 604 driven by the main timing shaft 560. lnasmuch as this type ofneedle mechanism is so well known and its employment involves nonovelty, but a diagrammatic showing of link 603 and crank disc or crank604 and arm 605 connecting the link to yoke 601 are indulged in. As iswell known, when the crank or cam 604 is at its upper extreme ofmovement, the needles 600 are all the way in, and when at their lowerextreme of movement the needles are all the way out. When vcranks areused these positions are 180 apart, measured in angularity of timershaft movement, but when cams are used these angularities and needletiming these movements can be appropriately varied as desired.

The roller equipped points 610 of the needles move in the plane ofthebale ties 102, and as the needles are moved upwardly they engage strandleading from the baler coil which supplies the ties and carry itupwardly around the end of a completed bale to form the so called needleloop and to enter it into the tier for the formation of the knot. Theneedle strand 50a comprises the front of this loop and is drawn tautbetween the point of the needle 610 and the rear corner of the completedbale to be tied. This taut rectilinear strand 50n is to be engaged bythe strand laying mechanism whose principal element is the lay arm 700already described and the guides 180, 185 it carries.

The lay arm 700 of the strand laying mechanism is oscillated from itslay position in the knotting mechanism A, in which the upper and lowerstrand guides 180, 185 are juxtaposed to fixed guide and free endtransfer mechanism E as shown in Fig. 10 to the needle strand receivingposition shown in full lines in Fig. 5. The lower portion of the arm,normally vertical and parallel to fixed guide support 152 now occupiesan inclined position to the rear of-needle strand 5011 of the loop landsubstantially parallel thereto, and the lower and upper guides 180, arein positions to receive the needle strand. lts movement and itspositions respectively in the knotting mechanism A and the needlemechanism B are achieved by mounting arm 700 above these positions upona transversely extending oscillatory shaft 710 carried in suitablebearings provided in bearing brackets 711 erected upon the upper sidesof the longitudinal frame members A77,

15'` Y and driving the arm and the shaft 710 (which shaft bears commonlyeach of the :several arms used in the tier at large) by means of the camlink 712 stabilized about shaft 560 by slotted connection'713 andprovided with a cam follower 714 activated by the cam 575 of shaft 560.Insurance of the correct relative angular positions of the guidecarrying lower end of the arm 700 in the knotting and needle mechanismsis had through the expedient of locating the shaft 710 intermediate thetwo positions and giving the arm a bent form, its lower end being benttoward thepneedle mechanism. This combination of longitudinal andvertical positioning of shaft 710 and angular bending of arm 700achieves as well the desired positioning of guides 180, 185longitudinally of the needle strand 501i of the loop.

The needle strand 5011 is transferred to the parallelly positionedguides 180, 185 by the needle strand transfer device, thecentralelements of which are a pair of oscillable strand transferlingers 750, one above and one below the guides. They are mounted foroscillation upon an oscillable shaft 751 borne from the main frame inpintle bearings752 (see Figs. l, 5, 6, 7, and 8). The upper pintlebearings are borne from transverse frame member '78, while the lower areborne from the adjacent upright frame members 76.` Shaft 751 isoscillated by cam lever 753 whose follower 760 engages in the groove 761of drum cam 576, the third of the cams carried by timer shaft 560. Both`pairs of transfer fingers 750 are commonly controlled from this camthrough the employment of lever crank and link connections 765, 766.

As can clearly be seen by reference to Figs. 5, 6 and 8, the ends 770 ofthe fingers 750 are turned outwardly (with respect to the longitudinalplane of symmetry 425 of the tier) and these ends are located on theopposite side of needle 600 from the finger axis 751, that is to say onthe side of needle strand 50u, whereby as the ngers are oscillated `theymay be moved first to the full line position atthe plane oftthe needleloop, and then further, to the dotted line position where their endsenter the plane of oscillation of the guides 180, 185 and cross it. Theends 770 of fingers 750 are dubbed otf and given `longitudinal extentboth to the front and rear of needle strand 5011, whereby certainly toengage these strands when the ngers 750 are oscillated and to continuethat engagement with certainty. The finger ends 770 engage the strand5011l simultaneously, then move it parallelly to thepplane of movementof the lay guides 185 as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 6, and then intothatplane, then the guides 180, 185 when ascillatedforwardly toward theknotting mechanism can engage `the newly positioned strands 501i ontheir extended inclined guide groove walls 162 and so carry it away fromthe ends 770 of twine fingers 750,and from the needle 600 and into itsproper lay in the knot ting mechanism A. The lay arm is accuratelystopped in its lay position by an, adjustable abutment 780 (Figs. l and2). In the,` early course of such movement, strand 50n slides down `thegenerous and extended inclined walls 162 of the guide grooves to thebottoms` of the grooves, where` it lies against and ispositioned by therelatively `thin guide flanges 163 as clearly appears in Fig. 10. Atthis stage, the `needle having `meantime withdrawn, the needle loop hasa triangular form .which appears in Fig. 24 and is ready to be cut, asshown in Fig. 25, to enable the needle strand 50u to enter the knot.

For 4an understanding of this mechanism refer once again to Figs, l0, lland 12 with reference to which the inserter device was described. The`mechanism is des ignated generally E. Its central elements are acutting blade 800 and a Vtwine clamp 801. Both cutting blade 'and clampare carried from and operated by the long arm of` an L.-shapedtransversely slidable member 802 mounted and guided` for transversesliding in the slot 803 of a block 804 secured by means (not shown) tothe rear ward face of the transverse brace 153 to which the upper endsof guide supports 152 are secured. Slot 803 is closed springs 817`confined between abutments 818 extending ting blade 800 is in alignmentwith the rear face 187 of` the upper guide 185 of the strand layingmechanism (see Fig. l5 for detail) and this face 187 of upper guide 18Sis hardened and constituted a mating-cutting edge or face for the cutter800. It will be apparent that they both lie in the transverse plane ofsymmetry of the knot to be tied. Thus a needle loop carried by theguides 180, 185, and bottomed in the groove 161 of guide 185, uponreciprocation of cutter 800 outwardly is cut in the transverse` plane ofsymmetry 186 of the knot and equalized free end lengths are had.

The clamp 801 is a jaw clamp, the lower jaw 830 of which is an integralpart of, at least rigid with, the main body 802 of the slide, while itsupper jaw 831 is movable up and down to open and close the clamp. It ismovable about a transversely extending pivot 832 in the main body 802`and is provided with a rearward extension 833 which underlies the angleof body 802 and is open to access from the under side of this member. Topermit these movements and access, the main body of the slide ishollowed out from end to end but reversely at opposite ends, its outerend being hollowed out from the top, whereas its inner end is hollowedout from the bottom, and the movable member 831 is dimensioned to beaccommodated within the slot. Indeed its outer end isrelatively sonarrow `as to be accommodated within the centrallyslotted or bifurcatedend of the fixed clamping member 830. Its under side is provided withteeth or serrations 835 the better to hold a strand engaged between thejaws. A relatively light bow spring 836 normally biases the movable jaw831 into engagement with the fixed jaw 830 and the points of the jawsare diverged from each other the better to be parted by a strand whenprojected into contact therewith, whereby readily to receive the body ofthe strand and clamp it. Pivoted between ears 840,projected downwardlyfrom cap plate 810, are a pair of pawls 841 which rest on thebifurcations of the lower jaw 830 and point downwardly and inwardly ofthe clamp. They are yieldingly lightly thrust downwardly by the bowspring 842. Their function is to free the clamp 801 lof the old terminalend as the clamp is moved outwardly, but to yieldwhen the clamp acquiresa new free end and again moves inwardly, and permit the new terminus tobe thus transferred from the plane of guide 180, 185 to the plane offixed guide 150 and holder 151 of the guiding and holding mechanism.Once so transferred, a severed strand end engaged between membersV 830and 831 of clamp 801, when cam plate 421 reaches its upper extreme ofmovement, instead of being lightly clamped incident to the pressure ofthe light spring 836, becomes heavily clamped by reason of theengagement of the inner end 833 of movable jaw 831 by the head of anadjustable set screw 850 carried by an offset 851 from.the.rear face ofplate 421, and is held fast against bale forming tensions. Torecapitulate, as cam plate 421 moves downwardly at the inception of theknotting operations, jaws 830, 831 of the clamp 801 are

